Johnson's quality makes the difference

Saturday 24 February 2007 19.08 EST
First published on Saturday 24 February 2007 19.08 EST

Life in the Premiership for Watford began with a cruel defeat at Goodison Park, where Chris Powell conceded a penalty for handball when replays showed clearly that the ball struck him in the face.

It is surely going to end after another reversal against Everton - this time despite a much-improved second-half performance sparked by substitute Tamas Priskin - that left them rooted to the bottom of the table.

Three successive home matches offered Aidy Boothroyd's side a genuine opportunity to close the gap on the teams immediately above them. But the failure to overcome 10-man Wigan in midweek, followed by this setback, suggests the chance has been lost. Although there is still Charlton to come next Saturday, Watford have that sinking feeling.

They lack nothing in application and effort. When it boils down to quality though, they come up some way short. However much their supporters barracked Andy Johnson after he won, and converted, the penalty for Everton's second goal, there could be no doubt about the striker's influence.

Johnson's pace, movement and anticipation were always a handful for the Watford defence, which never came to terms with those qualities. Their attack, deprived of Marlon King's leadership so early in the campaign, was again largely a blunt instrument until Priskin came on to freshen things up.

Richard Lee, deputising in goal for the injured Ben Foster, had a hand in the first goal. He fumbled Tim Cahill's shot and had no chance of retrieving his error as Manuel Fernandes and Johnson closed in on the rebound. Fernandes was credited with the final touch to give him his first goal for the club.

The second came after Adrian Mariappa's clumsy challenge on Johnson, who picked himself up, ignored the crowd's taunts and banged in his 10th league goal of the season.

Had James Beattie, who, unlike his partner, continues to struggle, converted Johnson's cross from a few yards out instead of firing yards over, Everton would have had the points secure by half time. As it was, Boothroyd introduced Priskin and Lloyd Doyley for the second half, with Priskin testing Everton's defensive mettle for the first time.

He hit one shot over after darting through the inside-left channel, sent another from 25 yards fizzing wide, then went close with two headers. If Watford are to fight to the end, Priskin will surely have a role to play.

They certainly came forward with more confidence and cohesion. A goal at the height of the pressure they applied would have made it interesting. But Joleon Lescott and Joseph Yobo stood up sufficiently solidly, Watford's effort eventually petered out and a cracking left-foot shot by Leon Osman in stoppage time made it three.

Man of the match: Andy Johnson

Wherever he ran and whichever position he took up, Johnson stretched Watford to the limit. By contrast Watford's efforts were laboured until substitute Tamas Priskin came off the bench to give the home crowd something to enthuse about.